The Los Angeles Lakers have their eye on six different players ahead of the looming NBA Trade Deadline.
In recent days L.A. has been linked to a pair of surprising point guard options, a future Hall of Famer, and two major superstars.
That said – Jeanie Buss and Co. appear to be exploring all possible options.
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, five different players are currently on the Lakers’ radar.
“Other names that have come up in talks with team and league personnel over the past two weeks include Portland’s Jerami Grant, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier, Toronto’s Gary Trent Jr. and Brooklyn’s Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale,” he wrote.
“Each player fills at least one of the Lakers’ three needs.
What are those needs?
“Backcourt athleticism and speed — preferably with point-of-attack defensive capabilities,” Buha noted.
“A two-way wing who slots in nicely next to James, Davis and Reaves. [And] another defensive-minded backup big man.”
All of those options make some degree of sense. Rozier is in the midst of a career year from a statistical standpoint. Grant and Finney-Smith are both lights out shooters who are both shooting upwards of 40 percent from beyond the arc.
Any of these moves would make Los Angeles better to some degree. How much is the big question, though.
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The Lakers came into the 2023-24 NBA season with a championship-or-bust mentality.
And because of that, it is hard to feel like anything other than a superstar will truly move the needle.
One way or another, it feels like L.A. is gearing up for some kind of move at the NBA Trade Deadline. What sort of move will it be? Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
